CFTC to Host Cryptocurrency CEO Forum to Discuss Digital Asset Market Pilot Program

Serenity published a post expressing a contrarian view: If Sam Altman and OpenAI have managed to anger all seven major tech giants including Apple, that’s exactly proof he’s on the right track. OpenAI’s choice to build its own ecosystem instead of being absorbed into the existing ecosystems of Apple, Microsoft or Google comes at a time when Google, Apple, Microsoft and other firms haven’t faced a true disruptor in a long while, Serenity noted. The remarks highlight the delicate coopetition between OpenAI and big tech. Recent collaboration between Apple and OpenAI on AI feature integration was viewed as a sign of mutual reliance, but OpenAI’s refusal to become a vassal of the giants’ ecosystems and its commitment to an independent path—even if it irks the major players—represents the true hallmark of a disruptor.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei stated in a written address on July 11 that Iran will continue to adhere to the political line of late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, safeguard the country’s independence and sovereignty, and will not alter its established policy direction following the death of the leader. He once again identified the United States and Israel as responsible parties for the killing of the late Supreme Leader and other victims, noting Iran will continue to pursue accountability and emphasized it will take retaliatory action. He added that holding those responsible for the victims accountable is a common demand of the Iranian people, a goal that will not change amid leadership shifts. (CCTV International News)

According to VandaTrack data, retail investors net purchased $130 billion worth of U.S. stocks over the past month, marking the lowest level since 2020. Since the start of 2026, monthly net purchases by retail investors have dropped by $180 billion, a 58% decline. Meanwhile, net purchases of individual stocks fell by $80 billion, a 71% drop to $32 billion, also the lowest level since the first quarter of 2020. That said, retail investors’ total holdings still hit a record high of $500 billion, doubling from mid-2024. Currently, retail investors are selling stocks almost as aggressively as they are buying, which has compressed net purchases. Retail trading activity in the market is cooling down.

According to Iran's Fars News Agency, sources close to Iran's negotiation team said reports by some media outlets close to the Israeli regime claiming Iran has requested negotiations with the U.S. are false. Iran has not made any request for talks with the U.S., and will not engage in any negotiations until the U.S. withdraws its stance.

Tom Lee, chairman of BitMine — the largest Ethereum treasury — stated that traditional finance (TradFi) and the cryptocurrency market will eventually merge into a single market. He added that his strong bullish conviction in ETH and the Ethereum blockchain has remained consistent over the past six years, reaffirming his long-term bullish stance.

Since the resumption of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran this week, transit volumes through the Strait of Hormuz have dropped significantly. According to Kpler data, Thursday’s transit volume fell to 22 vessels from 30 the previous day. Local time on Tuesday, Iran targeted vessels in the strait (including a damaged Qatari LNG carrier), sparking renewed clashes between the two sides. Since the reciprocal attacks on Tuesday, only two LNG carriers have entered the strait, while one has exited. After the U.S. and Iran signed an agreement on June 17 to launch negotiations to end the conflict, transit volumes had risen briefly, peaking a few days later before the ceasefire was broken. Shipping brokerage Braemar LNG said in a client report on Friday that shipowners, acting with caution, have withdrawn available capacity from the region "until the geopolitical situation becomes clearer". This move has reduced the number of available vessels and pushed up transportation costs.